Organizational Theory

International business requires the ability to analyse and address challenges in multinational context. The diversity of organization, as well as the diversity of concepts and methods of management requires analytical skills and understanding of systemic character of organizations and their relations with environment. Therefore the course presents main principles and concepts of contemporary management and organization theory. It aims to improve the understanding of organizations, their relations with complex environment, and main problems and dilemmas they face.

Following topics are addressed during the course:

 Organizations and management – basic concepts. The nature of managerial work.

 Management and organizations – past and present

 the evolution of management theory,

 what can we learn from the past?

 The diversity of organizations. Metaphors and images of organizations and their practical implications.

 Context – environment of contemporary organizations. Globalization. Organization and environment: interrelations. How to deal with uncertain environment?

 Managers in contemporary organizations. Managerial work in uncertain world – typical mistakes of managers. Learning from experience.

 Systems approach to organizational analysis: mainstream in contemporary management. Counterintuitive behavior of complex systems. Feedback loops and archetypes. Learning organizations. What blocks organizational learning?

 Power and politics in organizations – why is it often neglected in organizational analysis? Fundamental bases of power in an organization. Faces of power. Games people play – examples and consequences of power games in organizations.

 Organizing: organization design. How organizations change over time? Corporate entrepreneurship.

In addition, participants are required to prepare presentations on selected concepts (e.g. holocracy, learning organizations, organizational change etc.).

Jones, Gareth (2013) Organizational theory, design, and change. Pearson Education International.

Additional sources:

 Mullins, Laurie J. (2005) Management and organizational behaviour (VII ed.). Prentice Hall.

 Hatch, Mary Jo (1997) Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic, and Postmodern Perspectives. Oxford University Press.

 Morgan, Gareth (1986) Images of Organization. SAGE Publications.

 Senge, Peter.M. (1990) The Fifth Discipline. ANCHOR BOOKS.

 Blomberg, J. (2020) Organizations: management&leadership analysis. Sage.

 Burrell, G. (2022) Organization Theory. A research overview. London and New York: Routledge.

Selected articles from business and scientific journals (Harvard Business Review, European Management Review etc.)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

– Demonstrate an understanding of diversity of contemporary organizations, organization theories and management methods applied to address this diversity,

– Identify challenges and opportunities which arise from diversity, as well as from the environmental trends,

– Demonstrate an understanding of evolution of organization theory,

– Assess the possibilities of utilisation of different organization/management concepts and fashions in a given situation,

– Understands the systemic character of organizations,

– Interpret organizational problems, challenges and opportunities from different perspectives, using different management tools and concepts,

– Understands the nature of managerial work within contemporary organizations,

– Identify and apply basic rules of organization design and change,

– Evaluate the role of context and its impact on organizations and managers,

– Create techniques for effective problem analysis and solving,

– Demonstrate proficiency in intercultural teamwork.

Individual and group work during lectures – workshops and case studies; presentation and report preparation on assigned topic